Indian Railways Route Guide · Updated 2026-06-06

Bangalore to Chennai Train

Quick Answer

The fastest Bangalore to Chennai trains are the Lalbagh Express (12608, daily, ~5 hours from SBC) and the Shatabdi Express (12008, Chair Car, ~5 hours). Distance: 362 km. Sleeper from ₹195, 3AC from ₹530. Trains depart from KSR Bangalore City (SBC) and arrive at Chennai Central (MAS).

362 km 5–6 hours Sleeper from ₹195 3AC from ₹530 2AC from ₹760
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Popular Bangalore to Chennai Train Trains

12608
Lalbagh Express Bangalore City → Chennai Central  ·  Runs: Daily
Superfast

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Bangalore to Chennai Train — Distance, Duration & Fares

DetailInfo
Rail Distance~362 km
Journey Duration5–6 hours
Sleeper Class (SL)From ₹195 approx.
3 Tier AC (3AC / 3A)From ₹530 approx.
2 Tier AC (2AC / 2A)From ₹760 approx.
Advance Booking Opens120 days before journey at 8:00 AM IST
Tatkal Booking Opens1 day before — AC at 10:00 AM, Non-AC at 11:00 AM IST

* Fares are approximate base fares. Actual fares vary by train, quota, and season. Check live fares on IRCTC before booking.

How to Book Bangalore to Chennai Train Ticket

  1. Check seat availability first — use PNR Alert route search to see which trains have confirmed seats on your travel date and class.
  2. Choose train and class — Rajdhani is fastest, AC-only. For Sleeper class, choose Express or Superfast trains. Compare departure times, days, and classes.
  3. Book on IRCTC — go to irctc.co.in or IRCTC Rail Connect app. Log in, select train/class/quota, and pay. Book up to 120 days in advance at 8:00 AM.
  4. Note your PNR number — your 10-digit PNR appears in the IRCTC booking confirmation email and SMS. Enter it on PNR Alert to track status and get WhatsApp alerts.

Booking Tips

Lalbagh Express 3AC fills up 15–30 days ahead on this corridor — book early for weekend travel.
Shatabdi Chair Car is a good last-resort option if 3AC is full — comfortable for a 5-hour day journey.
Bangalore Mail is good for those who prefer an overnight journey or an early morning arrival in Chennai.
Tatkal opens 1 day before at 10 AM (AC) / 11 AM (non-AC).
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Track PNR & Get Alerts

After booking a Bangalore to Chennai Train ticket, track your PNR status on PNR Alert — no login needed:

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On travel day, use live running status to track train location and delay.

Fastest Trains: Lalbagh Express (12608) and Shatabdi (12008)

The Lalbagh Express (12608) departs KSR Bangalore City (SBC) and arrives Chennai Central (MAS) in approximately 5 hours. The Shatabdi Express (12008, originating from Mysuru, stops at Bangalore) covers the route in similar time but is Chair Car only. Both run daily.

Overnight Option: Bangalore Mail (12658)

The Bangalore Mail (12658) departs Bangalore at night and arrives Chennai Central in the early morning — ideal if you want to maximise your day in Bangalore before leaving. Has Sleeper, 3AC, and 2AC classes.

Departure from Bangalore: SBC Station

All major Chennai-bound trains depart from KSR Bangalore City Station (SBC) near Majestic — the main station in Bangalore with direct metro connectivity. Do not confuse SBC with Yesvantpur (YPR) or Bangalore Cantt (BNC).

Arrival in Chennai: Chennai Central (MAS)

All major Bangalore–Chennai trains arrive at Chennai Central (MAS) — not Chennai Egmore (MS). MAS is the main station in north Chennai, well connected by local buses and metro.

Frequently Asked Questions — Bangalore to Chennai Train

Lalbagh Express (12608, daily, ~5 hours from SBC to MAS) is the most popular — full classes available. Shatabdi (12008, Chair Car only) is equally fast. Bangalore Mail (12658) is best for overnight travel.
About 5–6 hours on express trains. The distance is 362 km. Shatabdi and Lalbagh Express are the fastest at ~5 hours.
KSR Bangalore City Station (SBC) — the main station near Majestic with metro connectivity. Most trains originate or pass through SBC.
Chennai Central (MAS). Do not confuse with Chennai Egmore (MS), which is a different station serving southern Tamil Nadu destinations.
Lalbagh Express: Sleeper (SL), 3AC (3A), 2AC (2A). Shatabdi: Chair Car (CC) and Executive Chair Car (EC). Bangalore Mail: Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC.
Yes — Bangalore Mail (12658) departs Bangalore late night and arrives Chennai Central early morning. Good for those wanting an early start in Chennai without wasting a day on travel.
Enter your 10-digit PNR at pnralert.in/pnr-status — no login needed. Subscribe for free WhatsApp alerts for automatic updates.
A day trip is technically possible — catch an early morning Lalbagh Express (~5 hours to Chennai), spend the day, and return on an evening service. However, 10 hours of travel for limited city time makes it more practical as an overnight trip.

Railway Guides for This Journey

PNR Status Meaning CNF, WL, RAC, Chart Prepared explained When Waitlist Gets Confirmed GNWL movement and timing guide GNWL vs RLWL vs PQWL Which waitlist type confirms faster Tatkal Booking Time AC opens 10 AM, Sleeper 11 AM How to Get Confirmed Ticket 7 tips that actually work on IRCTC Sleeper vs 3AC Which class to choose for this journey Cancellation Refund Rules Before and after chart preparation Advance Booking: 120 Days Guide ARP, Tatkal, current booking windows

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